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Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, has taken on another important royal responsibility after being confirmed as the new royal patron of the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team (AFPST). The appointment highlights her  growing investment in supporting wounded, injured and sick military personnel, as well as veterans who are rebuilding their lives after service.

The announcement was made during Sophie’s recent visit to the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead, where she met members of the organisation and learned more about its work. The engagement also marked her first official appearance in her new role as patron.

The Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team is dedicated to helping wounded, injured and sick members of the armed forces and veterans through adaptive skiing, snowboarding and Nordic sports. The organisation uses sport not only as a form of physical activity but also as a way to help participants regain confidence, develop new skills and build a strong sense of community.

During her visit, Sophie was welcomed by Elizabeth Winfield, the organisation’s chief operating officer. Winfield introduced the Duchess to the charity’s programmes and explained how the team supports military personnel and veterans through its various sporting activities.

Following Sophie’s visit, Winfield described the Duchess’s appointment as a significant moment for the organisation. She said the royal patronage would strengthen AFPST’s ability to expand its work, reach more veterans and continue delivering programmes designed to have a meaningful impact on the lives of participants.

She also highlighted the importance of Sophie meeting athletes in person, saying that her presence could provide greater visibility to their achievements and resilience. The organisation believes that increased awareness can help demonstrate the importance of adaptive sports programmes and the role they play in supporting veterans.

Sophie’s new patronage has also drawn comparisons with the work of Prince Harry, particularly his involvement with the Invictus Games. Founded by Harry, the international sporting event provides wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans with an opportunity to compete in adaptive sports while promoting recovery, rehabilitation and community.

The Invictus Games are scheduled to return to Birmingham, England, in July 2027. The upcoming event will bring together competitors from different countries and once again place the achievements of military veterans and wounded service personnel in the international spotlight.

While Sophie’s role with AFPST is separate from the Invictus Games, both initiatives share a similar emphasis on using sport to support members of the armed forces community. Her new position could therefore create an interesting connection between the Duchess’s growing work in this area and Harry’s long-standing commitment to the Invictus movement.

Sophie’s involvement may also open the possibility of her attending future Invictus Games events, particularly as the royal family continues to take on different responsibilities supporting veterans and serving military personnel.

For now, her appointment gives AFPST a prominent new supporter and brings additional attention to adaptive winter sports. It also marks another step in Sophie’s expanding royal portfolio, particularly in areas focused on service, resilience, rehabilitation and the wellbeing of the armed forces community.

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